Musical instrument carrying case

ABSTRACT

An improved case for carrying and storing a guitar musical instrument and the like. In addition to rigid constraints preventing lateral movements of the sounding-box body, neck and head of the instrument, there are also provided subjacent supporting elements affording resilient yet semi-rigid vertical support to the instrument neck and sounding-box body. These supporting elements, which respectively run the entire length of both said neck and said body, each comprise an upper sheet of formed rubber or analagous resilient material which is positioned immediately subjacent said neck and said body and immediately above a form-retaining base. On opposite transverse sides of each said resilient sheet are form-retaining constraints. Thus, when the instrument neck and body are forced downwardly from the random impacts of normal carrying of the case, said resilient sheets will be depressed slightly downwardly while lateral displacement of said neck will be prevented by said side constraints. Such action serves to prevent deleterious stressing of the particularly vulnerable heel juncture of said neck to said body. By varying the resiliency of said sheets with respect to each other, there may be achieved a case which supports different portions of said instrument with different degrees of resiliency and rigidity, so that delicate portions of said instrument may be afforded greater cushioning than less delicate portions.

United States Patent 11 1 Lee et al.

[ Aug. 26, 1975 MUSICAL INSTRUMENT CARRYING CASE [76] Inventors: PeterR. Lee, PO. Box 24121,

Oakland, Calif. 94612; Donald W. Burror, 3585 Liscome Way,

Concord, Calif. 94520 [22] Filed: Oct. 26, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 410,254

Primary ExaminerGeorge T. Hall Attorney, Agent, or FirmHarris Zimmerman[5 7] ABSTRACT An improved case for carrying and storing a guitarmusical instrument and the like. In addition to rigid constraintspreventing lateral movements of the sounding-box body, neck and head ofthe instrument, there are also provided subjacent supporting elementsaffording resilient yet semi-rigid vertical support to the instrumentneck and sounding-box body. These supporting elements, whichrespectively run the entire length of both said neck and said body, eachcomprise an upper sheet of formed rubber or analagous resilient materialwhich is positioned immediately subjacent said neck and said body andimmediately above a form-retaining base. On opposite transverse sides ofeach said resilient sheet are form-retaining constraints. Thus, when theinstrument neck and body are forced downwardly from the random impactsof normal carrying of the case, said resilient sheets will be depressedslightly downwardly while lateral displacement of said neck will beprevented by said side constraints. Such action serves to preventdeleterious stressing of the particularly vulnerable heel juncture ofsaid neck to said body. By varying the resiliency of said sheets withrespect to each other, there may be achieved a case which supportsdifferent portions of said instrument with different degrees ofresiliency and rigidity, so that delicate portions of said instrumentmay be afforded greater cushioning than less delicate portions.

10 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures l J l Aha MUSICAL INSTRUMENT CARRYING CASEBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to animprovement in the design of carrying cases for musical instruments,specifically electric guitars, but the principles disclosed herein haveapplication to a broad range of carrying, packaging and shippingcontainers for fragile items.

As is well known, musical instruments, particularly those of thestringed variety, are extremely fragile and susceptible to damage fromrandom, low-magnitude inpacts even when protected by a carrying case. Asa result, many attempts have been made to produce shock-insulated caseswhich effectively support the instrument in spaced relation to the innersurfaces of the case; see, for example, US. Pat. No. 3,326,359 issued toKatz on June 20, 1967.

However, a particular fragilty of stringed instruments results from thehigh string tension, usually inthe order of 125 pounds, between thelower string anchor on the sounding-box body and the screw pegs at theupper neck of the instrument. This tension places considerablecompressive and bending-movement stresses upon the heel portion of theneck; i.e., upon that portion where the neck is joined to thesounding-box body. When these stresses are aggravated by theaforementioned low-magnitude impacts, considerable weakening of thisheel joint occurs, necessitating periodic instrument repair.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide aninstrument carrying case which will inhibit the weakening of said heeljoint and increase the periods between instrument repairs.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a carryingcase which will support and restrain different portions of any articlewith differing degrees of resiliency and rigidity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention is illustratedin one embodiment in the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the carrying case of the instantinvention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal front elevational sectional view of thecarrying case of FIG. 1, taken along section line 22;

FIG. 3 is a transverse side sectional view of the carrying case of FIG.1, taken along section line 33;

FIG. 4 is a transverse side sectional view of the carrying case of FIG.1, taken along section line 44; and

FIG. 5 is a transverse side sectional view of the carrying case of FIG.1, taken along section line 5-5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1, it willbe seen that the carrying case 2 of the instant invention, shown in anopen orientation, is formed basically by a generally rectangular lowerreceptacle 4 and a generally complementary upper receptacle 6. These tworeceptacles are respectively provided with complementary downwardly andupwardly opening cavities l6 and 18 shaped to contain a conventionalelectric guitar therein. Lower recepta cle 4 is also provided with anupwardly opening cavity to hold appropriate accessories such aselectricalpower conduits, picks, sheet music and the like. Cavity 20 maybe provided with an appropriate cover member, now shown.

Upper receptacle 6 is pivotally hinged to lower re- 'ceptacle 4 by aplurality of 180 hinges, not shown, and is provided with a plurality oflatches 8 which cooperate with corresponding latch parts 10 on lowerreceptacle 4 when carrying case 2 is in the closed orientation. Upperreceptacle 6 is also provided with an aluminum facia lip 12 whichextends about its perimeter and slightly overhangs the upper edge 14 ofthe lower receptacle in the closed orientation to provide an effectivecosmetic closure. As is also conventional in the art, one of thereceptacles will be provided with a carrying handle, not shown.

As is best seen in FIG. 2, the major structural portions of lower andupper receptacles 4 and 6 are formed of a composite consisting of aninner foamed polystyrene-plastic armature 22, which is generally rigid,form retaining, and only slightly compressible, and an outer surfaceshell 24 of fibreglass or highdensity polyethylene plastic which iscompletely rigid and substantially impervious to abrasion, scratching,and the like. In alternative embodiments, this outer shell 24 may bemade of polyvinylchloride plastic buckskin, cloth, or analagousflexible, pliable covering material depending on cost considerations andindividual taste.

Referring to FIGS. 2 through 5, it may besen that when an electricguitar 26 is placed into carrying case 2 and said case is placed in theclosed orientation, said guitar is substantially contained withincomplementary cavities 16 and 18 of upper and lower receptacles 6 and 4respectively. I

The lower receptacle 4 is custom fashioned to accommodate a particularguitar model, and provides generally planar-surfaced guitar-support padsat three plateau levels. The first of these pads, body pad 28, isgenerally subjacent the guitar sound-box body 30. The second of thesepads, neck pad 32, is generally subjacent the guitar neck 34, andlongitudinally spaced from body pad 28. The third of these pads, headpad 35, is generally subjacent the guitar head 36, and longitudinallyspaced from said neck pad and said body pad. The top planar surface ofbody pad 28 is covered by a, sheet 38 of thin foamed rubber which, as isbest seen in FIG. 4, is constrained against lateral movement bygenerallyvertical walls 40 and 42 of body pad 28. The top planar surfaceof neck pad 32 is similarly covered by a sheet 44 of thin foamed rubberwhich, as is best seen in FIG. 4, is constrained against lateralmovement by generallyvertical walls 46 and 48 of neck pad 32. Since themajor length of head 36 is vertically spaced from head pad 35 withcontact only at the distal extremity of said head, and since the majorweight of the guitar is supported by body and neck pads 28 and 32, nofoamed rubber sheet is provided to head pad 35, though same could beprovided if desired.

Although not illustrated in the drawings, it may be appreciated that theexposed surfaces of the foamed rubber sheets 38 and 44, the exposedsurfaces of downwardly-opening cavity 16 and upwardly opening cavity 18,and the remaining exposed surfaces of the case interior may be sprayedwith a cushioning and cosmetic flocking, or lined with a thin coveringof velvet, velour or similar velutinous material.

It may be seen in FIG. 2 that, in conventional guitar construction, aplurality of guitar strings 50 extend be- "stru'rnerit may mediate saidpegs and said anchor. Since these strings are maintained at a tensiletension between said pegs and said anchor in the order of 125 pounds forproper tonal quality, it may be seen that the heel portion 60 of neck34, whereat said neck is joined to said body in cantilever fashion, issubjected to considerable compressive and bending-moment stresses. Thisheel portion is a particularly troublesome structural element of anystringed instrument construction in that it requires constant attentionand repair because the neck tends to rock and be forced loose from thebody by the repeated low-magnitude impacts which accompany normalcarrying of the case and which aggravate the aforementioned compressiveand bending-moment stresses at said heel area. These deleterious effectsare noted whether mechanic or adhesive fastening means, or

' both, are employed to secure said heel to said body.

To overcome this deleterious effect, the instant invention so positionsbody pad 28 and neck pad 32, and their respective foamed-rubber sheets38 and 44, in such relative vertical relation that, when the lowersurface 62 of sound-box body 30 is resting in contact with and-issupported by upper surface 64 of rubber sheet 38, the lower surface 66of neck 34 .will be simultaneously in contact'with and supported byupper surface 68 of rubber sheet 44. It may be seen, then, that thissimultaneous support of the entire effective lengths and widths of boththe instrument body and neck will serve to preclude the aforementionedaggravation of stresses at the heel area in two manners. First, therigid support of the neck and body pads 32 and 28 will tend to restrainany relative vertical movement between said neck and said body. And,second, the resilient foamedrubber neck and body sheets 44 and 38 willtend to themselves absorb and dissipate any vertical force component,acting upon said neck and said body.

Thus, it may be seen that both rigid and resilient supports are providedto both the instrument neck and body. And, in accordance with theaforediscussed principles, it may be seen that different portions ofsaid inbe provided with different degrees of rigidity and resiliency ofthe various foamed-rubber sheets and support pads with respect to eachother. In this manner delicate portions of the instrument may beafforded greater cushioning than less delicate portions.

We claim:

1. A carrying case for a fragile instrument comprising an upperresilient sheet member, a rigid lower support member subjacent andsupporting said sheet member, rigid side members adjacent transversesides of said sheet member intermediate said side member, complementaryupper and lower receptacles respectively having complementary downwardlyand upwardly opening cavities therein, said support member and said sidemembers extending generally vertically upwardly from said lowerreceptacle and comprising walls of said upwardly opening cavity, saidsupport member and said sheet member extending adjacently and intangential contact with said instrument portion between the distalextremities of said instrument portion, a second upper resilient sheetmember, a second rigid lower support member subjacent and supportingsaid second sheet member, and second rigid side members adjacenttransverse sides of said second sheet member, each said second sheetmember, support member and side member being longitudinally spaced fromtheir respective first sheet member, support member and side member, asecond portion of said instrument resting on said second sheet memberintermediate said second side members.

2. The carrying case of claim 1 wherein said first and second sheetmembers are generally coplanar.

3. The carrying case of claim 1 wherein said first and second sheetmembers repose in different planes.

4. The carrying case of claim 1 wherein said second sheet member extendsadjacently and in tangential contact with said instrument second portionbetween the distal extremities of said instrument second portion.

5. The carrying case of claim 1 wherein at least one of said first andsecond sheet members is covered with a velutinous covering means.

6. The carrying case of claim 1 wherein at least one of said first andsecond sheet members is covered with a flocked covering means.

7. The carrying case of claim 1 wherein at least one of said upper andlower receptacles is covered with a rigid, abrasion resistant coveringmeans.

8. The carrying case of claim 1 wherein at least one said upper andlower receptacles is covered with a pliable covering means.

9. The carrying case of claim 1 wherein said first and second sheetmembers have differing resiliencies.

10. The carrying case of claim 1 wherein said first and second supportmembers have differing rigidities. l

1. A carrying case for a fragile instrument comprising an upperresilient sheet member, a rigid lower support member subjacent andsupporting said sheet member, rigid side members adjacent transversesides of said sheet member intermediate said side member, complementaryupper and lower receptacles respectively having complementary downwardlyand upwardly opening cavities therein, said support member and said sidemembers extending generally vertically upwardly from said lowerreceptacle and comprising walls of said upwardly opening cavity, saidsupport member and said sheet member extending adjacently and intangential contact with said instrument portion between the distalextremities of said instrument portion, a second upper resilient sheetmember, a second rigid lower support member subjacent and supportingsaid second sheet member, and second rigid side membErs adjacenttransverse sides of said second sheet member, each said second sheetmember, support member and side member being longitudinally spaced fromtheir respective first sheet member, support member and side member, asecond portion of said instrument resting on said second sheet memberintermediate said second side members.
 2. The carrying case of claim 1wherein said first and second sheet members are generally coplanar. 3.The carrying case of claim 1 wherein said first and second sheet membersrepose in different planes.
 4. The carrying case of claim 1 wherein saidsecond sheet member extends adjacently and in tangential contact withsaid instrument second portion between the distal extremities of saidinstrument second portion.
 5. The carrying case of claim 1 wherein atleast one of said first and second sheet members is covered with avelutinous covering means.
 6. The carrying case of claim 1 wherein atleast one of said first and second sheet members is covered with aflocked covering means.
 7. The carrying case of claim 1 wherein at leastone of said upper and lower receptacles is covered with a rigid,abrasion resistant covering means.
 8. The carrying case of claim 1wherein at least one said upper and lower receptacles is covered with apliable covering means.
 9. The carrying case of claim 1 wherein saidfirst and second sheet members have differing resiliencies.
 10. Thecarrying case of claim 1 wherein said first and second support membershave differing rigidities.